A GREAT BATTLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9663, 30 November 1909, Page 5

A GREAT BATTLE.

DAVIS CUP CONTEST. DOUBLES WON BY AUSTRALASIA. HOLDERS KEiAIN THE UUP. United Press Association-By Electric Telegraph Copyright, Received November 29, 8.45 p.m. SYDNEY, November 29. The Doubles contest for the Davis Cup took placj to-day. It was certainly the finest doubles game ever witnessed in Sydney. The first two sets were tenaciously contested by the Americans, while the thiH set was sturdily fought, although the Australians had the best of it.

The home team won the tnss, but early in the game it was seen that the Americans were in totter form than on Saturday. Brooks and Wilding did not appear to be as lit as in 1 the previous display. The New Zeaj lander's smashing was weak, and his driving had not its usual sting. The Americans excelled in smashes, eepscia'ly McLaughlin. The home players won points by their experi- | ence rather than that they excelled the Americans in brilliance. Their double play was a revelation. It took 22 games to decide the first set. tbe teams winning alternatively till they were 10 all. Then Australasia captured the next two games amid great excitement. The second set was just as vigorously contested, and each side won its service till the scores were 7 all. Then Wilding won his serve, while McLaughlin failed with his set, ending 9—7 in 38 minutes. In the third set Australasia scored 3—love before the Americans got a game in. Then some beautiful rallies occurred, ending in the Americans' favour with the score 4—l. Long carried hia serve and added another game to the total. Wilding, winning the serve in the next game, made it 5—2. McLaughlin won again, anil the Americans fought hard in the ninth game. Brilliant play on McLaughlin's part with Long seconding him ably was witnessed, but the home plavers carried the point, making the Davis Cup theirs for a further term. It was indeed a great battle for supremacy.